Linebacker Daiyan Henley Earns Undraftable Free Agent Grade

Daiyan Henley looked like he will project to an average 3rd down linebacker in the NFL after watching him play the past two seasons for Nevada (2021) and Washington State (2022).

The Nevada to Washington State transfer did not look like he had the skill set whatsoever to be a three down linebacker at either school, and the NFL is only going to be more difficult.

If he doesn’t see the play developing, he isn’t making the play. By the time he typically sees it, it’s usually not in time to make much of a difference.

That doesn’t win in the NFL.

Shocking first-round grade

That didn’t stop USA Today Draftwire from putting a first-round grade on Henley, which is what got me to look at him.

First-rounders need to prove on game film they have dynamic playmaking ability to be in the first-round discussion, and Henley put the polar opposite on game film.

Henley tended to come up up a day late and a dollar short in run support and pass coverage.

Henley lacks technique and instincts against the run

He was best when left unblocked and could move in and make a run stop or assist.

Henley also would wait at his pre-snap depth level for the ball carrier to reach him after picking up 5-10 yards.

There was this tendency to go out of his way to take on a blocker instead of attacking the ball carrier.

His anticipation is just plain bad and it looks like it takes an extra moment for him to be able to read what’s going on.

Insurance adjuster in coverage

What does that mean?

Insurance adjusters show up after the accident, and after the storm.

Henley lacks the speed or burst to be able to make a play on the ball in coverage.

He can only make tackles after the damage has been done.

Not an ideal blitzer

Linebackers need to be able stop the run, cover the pass and be able to blitz when their number is called.

Henley is below average in the first two categories, and he was very average looking blitzing.

There was no power at the point of attack and he did not show a short-area burst to get the quarterback in time before the pass was thrown.

Suspect tackler

Linebackers need to be dependable tacklers, and Henley didn’t show he could do that.

He missed a number of tackles against the run and while back in coverage.

At times, he over-pursues and it ends up looking awkward.

The only time he could make a nice wrapping tackles is when he had it perfectly lined up.

Good effort

The one box Henley can check – – the one consistent positive – – he gave solid effort.

He had a couple let downs, but those plays were the exceptions.

This might allow him to stick around on special teams, or if a team drafts him, this is where he will end up.

#11 Nevada #1 Washington State Daiyan Henley 6-foot-2, 232 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: Undraftable Free Agent – Fall 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 1.1% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 17, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2021 Nevada game film reviewed: Boise State (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation)

2022 Washington State game film reviewed: Oregon and USC

Level of competition: High

2021 stats: 94 tackles (59 solo, 35 assists), 3 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 0 sacks

2022 stats (to date): 95 tackles (45 solo, 50 assists), 2 forced fumbles, 1 pass defended, 1 INT., 4 sacks

Note: Projects best to strong safety

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Inconsistent non-instinctual run and hit linebacker who lacks technique and has decent speed. Can drop into zone coverages and shadows in man in the short to intermediate route level. Can be a moment slow reacting in coverage. Against the run does a good job keying and diagnosing when he can stay clean and can see the ball carrier. Struggles taking on and shedding blocks. Takes some bad angles and susceptible to misdirection. Typically waits until the ball carrier reaches his level.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. Does he show the ability to make plays on the ball in coverage?
2. Can he take on and shed blocks consistently?
3. How much hesitation does he show?
4. Does he attack line of scrimmage vs. run?

Henley looked like a fish out of water as a three-down linebacker.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.